Noakhali, the coastal district of Bangladesh, due to freshwater deficiency, salinity ingression in soil and water and tidal inundation agricultural production is being restricted. Climate induced slow onset and sudden extremes prohibit the agricultural practices in the char areas of Noakhali, which cause malnutrition, seasonal starvation, deficiency of vitamin and minerals. The poor maintenance of sluice gates, the gradual sedimentation of the canals and the effects of climate change (increasing frequency and ferocity of the cyclone), among other factors, have therefore contributed to making the project location an area extremely vulnerable to hazards and natural disasters (cyclones, tidal surge, flooding, irregular rainfalls and waterlogging etc.). These disasters and their increasing frequency and intensity directly impact the livelihoods of the population, including women and children, as agriculture is the main economic activity in the area. This situation leads to complex livelihoods, with households migrating to big cities to find work or diversify their livelihoods into off-farm incomes (van driver, tailoring, small trade). The marginal homes, landless, fisherfolk, women-headed families are highly food-stricken families in the area. Along with climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic has significant global and local impacts on people’s livelihoods, food, and nutritional needs. Like in other parts of the world, Bangladeshi people, particularly the vulnerable community in the southern parts of the country, including women and youth group who are rapidly shifting their livelihoods and their access to food and nourishment supplies is also affected after the pandemic. Therefore, the current project intended to improve food security, livelihood, and employment opportunities among rural women and youth.
Objectives of the study
To overcome the worsening situation induced by climate change and COVID 19, the action research based pilot project is undertaking with the objectives of:
- To reduce the vulnerabilities and create employment opportunities for women and youth in coastal communities.
- To build the capacity of the vulnerable women and youth in gender-transformative climate resilience through homestead farming using alternate production technology regard to safe food production introducing bio-composting.
- To initiate a market linkage of agro-products grown by the targeted community.
Activities of the project
- Climate vulnerability and household food security assessment
- Agricultural resilient planning
- Capacity building of climate resilient and ecological farming
- Capacity building on organic fertilizer and pesticide production
- Promoting trade justice through market linkage
- Promoting halophytes for salinity affected areas.
Funded by
